LIVE REVIEW: Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken Brilliance

Last night, Jelly Roll (born Jason DeFord) took the stage at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live as part of his Beautifully Broken tour, delivering a strong performance that blended country, rock, and hip-hop with his signature authenticity. The crowd was treated to a night of emotional storytelling, genre-defying covers, and a palpable connection with the Nashville star, whose music resonates with those navigating life’s struggles.

Kicking off with Heart of Stone, Jelly Roll set the tone with his raw vocal delivery and commanding stage presence. Backed by a versatile 10-piece band, the show was a seamless fusion of Southern rock, gospel harmonies, and hip-hop beats. The energy soared with Liar, the second single from his 2024 chart-topping album Beautifully Broken.

The setlist, a mix of originals and covers, showcased Jelly Roll’s ability to bridge genres and eras. His rendition of Shaboozey’s Amen was a crowd-pleaser, with the band’s tight instrumentation amplifying the song’s soulful edge. Hits like Son of a Sinner and I Am Not Okay brought moments of introspection, with fans visibly moved, some holding signs celebrating personal milestones like sobriety. The platinum-certified I Am Not Okay struck a chord with its vulnerable lyrics, reflecting Jelly Roll’s knack for crafting “real music for real people with real problems.”

A highlight was the medley of Take Me Home, Country Roads and Lonely Road, his track with mgk, which had the Dutch crowd roaring along, proving Jelly Roll’s universal appeal. While some might question the reliance on covers given his extensive catalog, the audience’s enthusiastic response left no doubt that Jelly Roll knew how to keep the energy high. A nod to Nickelback’s How You Remind Me and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama added a playful, crowd-pleasing touch, though a few fans might have preferred more of his originals like Liar or Need a Favor, both of which hit hard with their emotional weight and stadium-ready production.

Jelly Roll’s storytelling interludes—touching on his Southern Baptist roots, past struggles with addiction, and redemption—added depth, turning the concert into a communal experience. His charisma shone as he connected with the audience, sharing anecdotes and pausing to acknowledge fans’ signs.

Amsterdam’s AFAS Live, known for its stellar acoustics in the Black Box, provided the perfect backdrop, amplifying Jelly Roll’s powerful delivery and his band’s versatile range.

Jelly Roll’s AFAS Live performance was a testament to his rise as “country’s most authentic new artist” (The New Yorker), blending raw emotion with arena-sized energy. For Dutch fans, it was a night of music as therapy, proving why Jelly Roll continues to break boundaries in the global music scene.

Check out the photos we took below!